The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee swimming & diving teams posted an outstanding 30 season-best times to successfully wrap up the Midwest Invitational late Saturday at the Myers-McLoraine Pool on the campus of the University of Chicago.
The UWM women won the meet in convincing fashion, finishing first in the eight-team field with 586.5 points, well ahead of host Chicago in second at 393.
Despite only competing six individuals, the Panther men came in fourth overall with 360 points, just 38 points shy of a runner-up finish.
The Panthers dominated the freestyle events all weekend. Senior Kelly Theis topped the 500 free with a time of 5:18.54, just ahead of Abby Duke (5:22.94) in third and Sarah Grieve (5:23.47) at fourth.
In the mile, Duke touched the wall first with a season-best time of 18:10.38. Theis was right behind in second at 18:34.68.
Joe Chokran won a pair of events. The junior turned in one of the fastest times at the meet, going a lifetime-best time of 2:02.87 in the 200 breaststroke to cruise to a win. Chokran also came in first in the 200 IM at 1:53.38, just ahead of freshman Payton teDuits at 1:55.00 for second.
Nash Firebaugh picked up a win for the Panthers in the 100 fly. The freshman topped the field of 14 with a time of 49.99 to just edge out the next finisher for the win.
The Panthers went 1-2 in the women's 200 free. Maggie LaMere won the event at 1:58.40, nearly three seconds faster than her previous best, while Grieve came in second at 1:59.44.
UWM also took the top-two spots in the men's 100 backstroke. Sophomore Evan Kuker came in first at 51.22 with teDuits right behind at 52.41 – both lifetime bests.
TeDuits later claimed a gold medal of his own. The freshman led three Panthers in the 200 back with a winning time of 1:52.57, just ahead of Seth Johnson (1:53.05) and Kuker (1:53.75).
UWM also won four of the five relays it competed in on the weekend.
